Research Interests
The recent demonstration that eye tissue is formed after ectopic expression of the eyeless gene suggests that how tissues differentiate is driven by a limited number of "master" genes. Differentiated tissues are commonly formed through repetition of cell types. The model is that changing from one type to another is a consequence of overexpression of the "master" gene inhibiting another.. The ability of any gene to have this effect is the basis for an overexpression screen to select such key genes. Such a screen is now underway in my lab through bringing a mobile copy of the yeast enhancer element that binds the transcription factor Gal4 to lie adjacent to previously unknown genes. Activation of the enhancer through Gal4 expression will be recognized through changes in cellular differentiation if the enhancer is adjacent to a key gene. In particular, cells in the wing margin differentiate into three kinds of sensory bristles plus trichome-bearing cell. I am interested in finding the genes that determine these choices and their pattern in the margin, through overexpression changes in phenotype. Molecular genetic analysis will be used to identify their normal roles in development.
Selected Publications
Takashima, S, Mirtchyan, M. Younossi-Hartenstein, A., Merriam, J.R. and Hartensteinn, V.. 2008. The behavior of Drosophila adult hindgut stem cells controlled by Wnt and Hh signaling Nature 454: 651-655 .
Evans, C. Merriam, J.R., and Aguilera, R.J.. 2002. Drosophila acid DNase is a homolog of mammalian DNase II Gene 295: 61-70 .
Johnson, L., and Merriam, J.. 2001. Interactive Genetics Hayden-McNeil Publishing, Inc. Plymouth, MI : - .
Brummel, T., Abdollah, S., Haerry, T.E., Shimell, M.J., Merriam, J., Raftery, L., Wrana, J.L., and OÂ’Connor, M.B.. 1999. The Drosophila Activin receptor Baboon signals through dSmad2 and controls cell proliferation but not patterning during larval development Genes & Development 13: 98-111 .
Sæbøe-Larssen, S., Lyamouri, M., Merriam, J., Oksvold, M.P., Lambertsson, A.. 1998. Ribosomal protein insufficiency and Minute syndrome in Drosophila: a dose-response relationship Genetics 148: 1215-1224 .
Merriam, J.. 1998. Antonio and Sturt: an interaction Int. J. Dev. Biol 42: 525-527 .
Casares, F., Bender, W., Merriam, J., and Sanchez-Herrero, E.. 1997. Interactions of Drosophila Ultrabithorax Regulatory Regions with Native and Foreign Promoters Genetics 145: 123-137 .
Merriam, J.. 1995. Drosophila Genome Molecular Biology and Biotechnology : - .
Andersson, S., Sæbøe-Larssen, S., Lambertsson, A., Merriam, J. and Jacobs-Lorena, M.. 1994. A Drosophila third-chromosome minute locus encodes a ribosomal protein Genetics 137: 513-520 .
Crozatier, M., Kongsuwan, K., Ferrer, P., Merriam, J., Lengyel J., and Vincent A.. 1992. Single amino acid exchanges in separate domains of the Drosophila serendipity delta zinc finger protein cause embryonic and sex biased lethality Genetics 131: 905-916 .